Monday, July 23, 2007

Harry Potter and the Ticking of the Clock..

Saturday, July 21, 2007

We are a small quiet island gently rocking in the Atlantic....but when it comes to Harry Potter...we celebrate in style!

Last night at 10:30 the doors to the Community Center opened to let in wizards and Harry Potter look-alikes of every age as the clock counted down towards midnight. There were swarms of folks from locals to tourists. I met a librarian from Vermont and a farmer from Ohio!

Now I must make a confession. I do not own all of the Harry Potter books, and I did not even buy one at the bewitching hour last night...or was it this morning? (I can always get mine at the library!) But, oh, I was caught up in the magic. I punched out the lenses in an old pair of sunglasses, found a magic wand (one should never really be without a magic wand!), sprinkled purple glitter in my hair and presto.....a Sybil look alike. Off to the Community Center I wandered and was greeted with another spray of glitter as I entered.I was amazed at the transformation and the work involved! There was a large graffiti board that asked our opinions...What will happen to Harry Potter!! (I have an opinion, but hope I am wrong!!)

There was a great apothecary shop where we could make our own remedies. (Eye of newt and toe of frog...hmmm....that does sound familiar!!) I could have also made great eyeglasses and magic wands, but seeing as how I already possessed those I passed.It was the seer I was most interested in. Yes...I waited with bated breath until my turn to casually (my heart was beating rapidly) pull aside the filmy curtain and have my tea leaves read. I didn't care about the plastic five gallon pail of water next to the table or the stream of children waiting to get in...no, this was my moment. And what did the seer find for me? Romance. Well, that was definitely worth waiting in line for.

We had our pictures taken too, in a floating gilded frame. I thought mine was really quite dramatic and mystic as I held out my magic wand and pursed my lips. Katy Mitchell thought I looked more like a leftover porn star. But what does she know, she is only 19!There was music too. I think it was Sundae, David, Marcie and Lou...although with those black wigs and capes it was difficult to tell. They sang the Monster Mash and Love Potion Number 9. Actually I joined in on the chorus on the stage for the last one, but couldn't really see the words as the rims of my broken out sunglasses kept getting in the way.

Behind the scene was the ticking of the clock...the Harry Potter clock. Exactly at midnight books were falling into arms of adults and children alike.I decided to leave then and headed out to Highway 12. I had hitched a ride earlier but they were far gone so for this midnight hour journey I had to walk. It was quiet and dark and a bit spooky so I picked up my pace on the sandy pathway next to the road.So, I didn't buy the book. The only remnants I have of the evening were a pillow full of purple glitter this morning and a blue half moon sequin that I glued onto the side of my face. Once a wizard, always a wizard, I guess!!

1 comment:

As you can imagine, I bought the book and I'm about a fourth of the way into it. I MUST finish it before school starts or I will be in trouble. I have 4 schools this year (Plus the K only school). I am not at the one you visited last year. I hated to let it go, but 7 is too many! This year they are all closer to me, less driving. Heard about your "move". How are you feeling about that?

What's happening in my hometown this week?

There continues to be music on the square and just about everywhere else this weekend. Friday night John Getz is playing at Chapman's Brewery and the Goat Beards are at Six Autumns. Saturday afternoon is the kick off for the Ecological 200 year old party at Wing Haven. This is a hands on event for everywhere! Again there is music at Briali's on Sunday. Wherever you are get out and enjoy this weekend!!

And how can you get in contact with me??

This is my hometown, Angola, Indiana. I am there a lot, but I am gone a lot too. You can reach me at 260-312-7225 or my email address: locketoftime@aol.com. This summer I am telling stories in libraries and festivals, teaching drama camps, and hosting my Ariizona family! I am taking the month of August off to get ready for the school year and do some traveling of my own!! If you are looking to book in the fall, the dates arer filling up quickly so let's talk soon.

And the teaching continues....

A few years ago Dr. Timothy Hopp called me out of the blue. he asked if I would be interested in teaching a few classes at Trine. I really wasn't sure as I had just left public school and had other ideas that I was thinking about doing, but I decided to give it a try. I can't imagine my life without it now! This spring at the faculty breakfast before graduation, I was honored with the Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award for 2017. I was absolutely giddy. I love the job, and it is so nice the faculty in my department appreciates my quirky ways. And, yes, I will be back!!

Signs of Summer...

My garden is really beautiful this summer. I have lots of flowers. The herbs are full and blooming as well as the vegetable garden. My raspberries are just gorgeous with plenty to eat and plenty to put away for the winter!

Storytelling with Lou Ann

Anniei's Attic is a wonderful week-long opportunity for students and teachers.

And, yes, I can call square dances!

I also am now in a small (very small band) Schmaltz and Blarney. We are available for hire. What makes us different is that we bring along song books! Give us a call!

Lou Ann and Goldilocks

Ocassionally Goldilocks makes it to the stage with Lou Ann. They really do look alike!

Lou Ann Homan portraying Gene Stratton-Porter

This is just one of my first person character shows!

A nice little bio...

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, a teacher, a storyteller and a lover of small towns. Her enthusiasm for teaching has graced Indiana classrooms for over 30 years and has been twice awarded the prestigious Lilly Teacher Creativity Award. She is currently a professor at Trine University in the Humanities and Communication Department.

Lou Ann is an award-winning columnist for KPC Media Group whose weekly column has appeared every Saturday morning for ten years in newspapers in all four counties in northern Indiana. In 2014 Lou Ann received the Mayor’s Arts and Humanities Award.

Lou Ann’s storytelling skills have twice brought her the Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship grant, and two commissioned pieces from Indiana Landmarks. She has told stories on many Fringe Festival stages throughout the Midwest and has carried her from the green hills of Ireland to China, and from Florida to Arizona. She has been on the roster of Arts for Learning for many years and was awarded the Anna Award in 2015 for her outstanding plan for program enhancement.

When not traveling Lou Ann can be found in her hometown of Angola, Indiana where she is a member of the Historic Preservation Commission. She writes late into the night under a red frayed lamplight, gardens at the community gardens, celebrates and promotes cultural events, tell stories on the square and bikes her way around her small town!

She is delighted to bring you stories!

If you like I can send my blog to you every day on your email!

Lou Ann Homan

Click on the Photo to View a Sample of My Storytelling

Storyteller's Journal

Dear Folks,

Welcome to my world of storytelling, writing, and as you can see, dreamer of dreams. My storytelling has taken me to all sorts of locations around the country and in a few other countries. I have shows suitable for all ages and interests.

I do programs for teachers, for poets, for students, and for all who love the sound of language and words. I also am a Fringe Festival artist!

I also am a faculty member of Trine University where I teach writing and speech. I am a columnist for our local paper, The Herald Republican. My columns appear on Saturday and have been featured for nine years!

I am a traveler, a hobo, a drifter, a gatherer of tales, and a one-woman show. Thanks for taking the time to take a look. I would love to talk with you, share emails and blogs or even share a cup of tea in my lovely old house. Above all, I would love to share stories with you.

Lou Ann

Storytelling in Schools

Murder Mystery Weekends

Research Projects for your town

Scary Stories for the Autumn

Summer reading programs

Anne Bonny and other women pirates

Winter Woolies

Keynoting for schools

Workshops for students and teachers

Square Dance calling

Writing workshops

Poetry and Haiku workshops

Writing and directing of shows (especially murder mystery shows for middle school, have several to choose from. This is a weeklong residency.)

About Me

I am a storyteller, a theater coach, an actress, and a writer. When I am not traveling and gathering stories, you can find me writing late into the evening under the light of my old scarlet, frayed lamp. I am a believer in small towns in America and the blog is written to bring focus to them and to save them!
I also garden and am deeply aware of the environment and the issues. Please visit my blog often to share with me short stories that just happen, recipes, gardening, environmental preservation, books, photography and family, of course!